Protecting Shanghai’s delicate urban fabric
A balanced approach to development and preservation is needed to protect Shanghai’s historic neighbourhoods, says Egyptian-American architect Hisham Youssef.
(Photos: Hisham Youssef)
Shanghai (上海, literally “on the sea”) is a city of contrasts and complexities, a city where East meets West, and which boasts a rich architectural heritage that spans centuries. The city holds within its bustling streets and soaring skyscrapers a rich tapestry of history and culture. Unfortunately, amid the rapid march of progress, its once-vibrant historic neighbourhoods have lost their character.
From Laoximen (老西门, lit. Old West Gate), the area of Shanghai named after the place where the ancient old walled city’s west gate once stood, to Hongkou, which became a refuge for thousands of Jews escaping from Europe during the World War, and Huangpu, Shanghai’s historic lane neighbourhoods have been disappearing at an alarming rate over the last decade.
Socioeconomic implications
The human cost of Shanghai’s transformation cannot be ignored. As historic neighbourhoods are razed to the ground, residents are left displaced and disoriented. Forced to relocate to distant suburbs, they lose not just their homes but also their sense of community.
When I returned to visit him a month later he too was already evicted, and sadly his house was slated for demolition. This is just one among the plethora of lives displaced.
In October 2021, I recall meeting Mr Dai (戴), surprisingly the only resident who seemed to not have been evicted in the neighbourhood adjacent to the historic Yu Garden (豫园 Yuyuan Garden), who took me to the roof of his twin houses. He pointed out proudly that his houses stood taller than all of the other neighbourhood houses — indeed the view from the roof was amazing.
He shared that one house belonged to his parents and he was born some 71 years ago, while the adjacent house belonged to his uncle. As we stood on his roof, both houses and the rest of the adjacent buildings were already vacated. When I returned to visit him a month later he too was already evicted, and sadly his house was slated for demolition. This is just one among the plethora of lives displaced.
Tokenism
Shanghai’s architectural heritage is a tapestry that reflects its history as a cultural and commercial hub. The historic neighbourhoods are not just architectural treasures but also living spaces that have housed communities for generations. The rapid pace of urban development is not merely impacting their tangible assets, but equally so the non-tangible — the communities that have imbued these spaces with their vibrant character and very essence.
Recent developments have preserved some buildings of a particular neighbourhood or a block, as a token of the past. This tokenism in heritage conservation refers to superficial or symbolic efforts that fail to address the core essence of preservation. This has been increasingly popular in many developments where one or a handful of the old structures are preserved as a nod to the history of an area. In some cases, even the exterior façade of an entire block is preserved, while the whole interior is gutted and replaced by modern uses.
The new development focuses more on commercial gain, turning historic buildings into luxury establishments, thus altering the original character of Zhang Yuan.
One such project, of many new ones in Shanghai, is the redevelopment of Zhang Yuan (张园, Zhang Garden), one of the city’s significant historic neighbourhoods built almost 140 years ago.
Until recently, Zhang Yuan was a vibrant, albeit crowded, area known for its traditional Shanghainese Shikumen architecture (石库门, lit. “stone warehouse gate”) and lilong (里弄, lane neighbourhoods). After vacating the entire neighbourhood and relocating its resident community, the adaptive reuse redevelopment, while admittedly elegantly designed and carefully restored the original physical structures, has been more about creating a façade of preservation rather than genuine conservation.
In spite of structures having been retained and meticulously restored, the overall essence and functionality of the area have drastically changed. The new development focuses more on commercial gain, turning historic buildings into luxury establishments, thus altering the original character of Zhang Yuan. This approach lacks the right vision as it prioritizes aesthetic appeal and economic profit over authentic preservation.
Such efforts do not equate to conserving the cultural and social fabric that defines a heritage site or a delicate urban fabric of a city like Shanghai. The failure to maintain the community essence and its activities highlights the shortcomings of this tokenistic approach.
Regenerative development is not merely a “green” building approach to preserve physical structures; it is a new paradigm that promotes a co-evolutionary partnership between sociocultural and economic systems.
Regenerative development: a better approach
As Shanghai continues to evolve, it is imperative that the city strike a balance between progress and preservation. The city’s historic neighbourhoods are not relics of the past but living testaments to its rich cultural heritage. By embracing innovative approaches to urban development, Shanghai can ensure that it remains a vibrant and inclusive city for all its residents.
One way is “regenerative development”, a more sustainable and economic approach. This builds on the attributes and character of Shanghai’s many historic neighbourhoods, by taking into consideration their physical heritage, as well as acknowledging the communities and their contribution to the city’s unique character and attractiveness to visitors.
Regenerative development is not merely a “green” building approach to preserve physical structures; it is a new paradigm that promotes a co-evolutionary partnership between sociocultural and economic systems. This “heritage-led regeneration” would revitalise historic areas while preserving their unique character and identity. By investing in conservation efforts and promoting sustainable tourism, Shanghai can harness the economic potential of its cultural heritage while safeguarding it for future generations.
Strategies could include incentivising the use of heritage buildings for cultural and community purposes, and ensuring that developments are community-led and reflect local needs and aspirations. The role of local communities is pivotal in this process. Engaging them in planning and decision-making ensures that the developments resonate with their cultural and social context. Moreover, maintaining the vibrancy and functionality of heritage sites and the delicate city fabric is crucial. These areas are veritable dynamic spaces where history and contemporary life coexist.
Encouraging community involvement and stakeholder collaboration is crucial.
A view to the future
A balanced approach to development and preservation is essential for Shanghai’s future. This vision involves recognising the critical value of heritage as a non-renewable resource that contributes to the city’s identity and quality of life. Policy recommendations for sustainable urban development should include stricter regulations on demolition, incentives for preserving heritage neighbourhoods, and support for community-led conservation initiatives. Encouraging community involvement and stakeholder collaboration is crucial.
Shanghai stands at a crossroads where the path it chooses will determine its cultural and historical legacy. The continued demolition of historic neighbourhoods for modern developments, while economically attractive, poses a significant threat to the city’s identity and community fabric.
Tokenism in preservation offers a superficial solution that ultimately fails to protect the essence of these heritage sites. Regenerative development presents a viable and sustainable alternative. By integrating modern needs with historical preservation, Shanghai can create a model for other rapidly developing cities. This approach not only preserves the physical structures but also the social and cultural life that defines these neighbourhoods.
The future of Shanghai depends on the decisions made today. Prioritising heritage preservation through regenerative development can ensure that Shanghai respects its past while embracing its future. This balanced approach will enable the city to maintain its unique identity, vibrant communities, and rich history amidst the ongoing march of progress.
